Guenther is being honored for his article “Nullification: A Jury’s ‘Secret’ Power” (Feb. 2012). In selecting the article, the Dunn Award subcommittee said, “This fascinating, thought-provoking article presented 200 years’ worth of information on a topic that is rarely discussed by lawyers and judges. Clear, concise, and extremely well written, the article does a superb job of keeping the reader’s attention.”

Guenther serves as the Defense Attorney Justice Advisor at the Justice Center in Parwan in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The Dunn award, named after Wisconsin’s first chief justice, recognizes writing excellence in Wisconsin Lawyer articles. The Communication Committee also awarded certificates of commendation to the following authors:

Attorney James W. McNeilly Jr. for his article “Happy Lawyer: Not an Oxymoron” (Aug. 2012), which discusses matters that are important to all Wisconsin lawyers – how to stay sane and balanced while practicing law. Because stress in the profession is likely to increase, not decrease, the advice given in the article will remain important. He practices with Carlson Dash LLC, Chicago, representing businesses in commercial matters.

Attorney Christopher Krimmer for his article “Gay and Lesbian Divorce in Wisconsin” (July 2012), highlighting an important problem faced by many same-sex couples. The article addresses a sensitive social and legal issue involving many nuances in a concise and objective manner. He is a partner with Balisle & Roberson S.C., Madison, practicing in family law.

Attorney James Casey Jr. for his article “Jury Service – Through an Attorney’s Eyes” (Sept. 2012), providing a unique view of jury deliberations by the jury’s foreman, the author. This very well-written article took readers inside the jury’s deliberations from a lawyer’s point of view in a case whose outcome offended some and enlightened others. He most recently was assistant vice president, Office of Sponsored Project Administration, at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Mr. Scott Dennison for his article “Valuing Retirement Benefits in Divorce” (June 2012), explaining pension valuation and QDROs and providing an honest assessment that notes the same pension can be valued differently depending on the methodology used. This is a classic “nuts and bolts” article on a topic that is beyond confusing. He provides attorneys with present value calculations and vocational projections, at sd-actuary@mchsi.com.

New Hires, Promotions, Partners

Patrick S. Coffey, Chicago-Kent 1984, has joined the Milwaukee office of Whyte Hirschboeck Dudek S.C. as head of the newly formed corporate compliance and white collar defense team. He formerly practiced in Chicago. Michael E. Dahm, Harvard 2003, has joined the firm’s corporate practice group and is a member of the corporate transactions, emerging and entrepreneurial companies, and securities teams.

Amy T. Collins, U.W. 2012, has joined the Madison office of Stafford Rosenbaum LLP as an associate and focuses on family law and estate planning.

Christopher Ferreira, William Mitchell 1998, has joined Moss & Barnett, A Professional Association, Minneapolis, with the firm’s banking and commercial transactions, bankruptcy and creditors’ remedies, business law, and real estate practice areas.

Kyle B. Flanagan, U.W. 2010, has joined the Milwaukee office of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c. in the business law practice.

Josephine M. Gee, Marquette 2006, has been promoted to senior associate at Halling & Cayo S.C., Milwaukee, and continues to focus in general civil litigation.

Neal S. Krokosky, U.W. 2009, has joined Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP, Milwaukee and Delafield, as an associate and focuses on commercial and employment litigation matters.

Chad R. Levanetz, Marquette 2005, has become a shareholder at Metzler, Timm, Treleven, Pahl, Beck S.C., Green Bay, and focuses on business and banking litigation.

Onnie Leach Smith, Marquette 1990, has joined Sorrentino Burkert Law Group LLC, Waukesha, in of counsel capacity and focuses on estate planning, probate, guardianships, and juvenile law. She previously was with Delafield Law Offices.

Martin P. Tierney, U.W. 1998, has rejoined Michael Best & Friedrich LLP, as a partner with the labor and employment relations practice group in the Milwaukee office.

John G. Walsh, U.W. 2009, has joined Axley Brynelson LLP, Madison, focusing in business law, administrative law, and estate planning. He previously was staff counsel for the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority.

Appointments, Elections

Philip R. O’Brien, Marquette 1984, has been appointed to the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans Professionals Committee. He is a shareholder with the Taft-Hartley group of the employee benefits practice at Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c., Milwaukee.

Mark McGillis, Drake 1994, was elected president of the Wisconsin Association of Worker’s Compensation Attorneys. He is with Fortune & McGillis S.C., Racine.

C. Scott Pryor, U.W. 1980, has been appointed Robert M. Zinman Scholar in Residence for the American Bankruptcy Institute for the spring 2013 semester. He teaches at Regent University School of Law, Virginia Beach, Va.

Sandy Swartzberg, U.W. 1977, has been appointed to the advisory board of the Waukesha County Economic Development Corporation. He focuses on business law and estate planning at Weiss Berzowski Brady LLP, Milwaukee.

Michelle L. Ward, U.W. 1998, has been named to the editorial advisory board of Trusts and Estates magazine, published by CCH. She is with Keebler & Associates LLP, Green Bay.

Authors, Speakers

Gregg Herman, U.W. 1977, has authored Settlement Negotiation Techniques in Family Law: A Guide to Improved Tactics and Resolution (ABA Family Law Section, 2013). He focuses on family law at Loeb & Herman S.C., Milwaukee.

Awards, Degrees, Honors

Paul F. Heaton, Marquette 1990 summa cum laude, has been named a 2013 BTI Client Service All-Star. He is a shareholder with the litigation practice group in Godfrey & Kahn S.C.’s Milwaukee office.

David G. Peterson, U.W. 1991, was named Reinhart 2012 Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in recognition of his work with the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin, and the Potawatomi Area Council, Boy Scouts of America. He is a shareholder with the litigation practice in the Waukesha office of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren s.c.

MaiVue Kiah Xiong, U.W. 2010, was selected to participate in the State Bar’s inaugural Leadership Development Summit in March in Madison. She is with the Eau Claire office of Weld, Riley, Prenn & Ricci S.C. and focuses on business law and frac sand mining and minerals matters.

Pro Bono, Public Service

Kohner, Mann & Kailas S.C., Milwaukee, is supporting and sponsoring the annual Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest, which provides Wisconsin-based entrepreneurs with training in and experience with developing and presenting business propositions to potential investors and partners.

How to Place your Announcement

If you have moved, become a partner or an associate, or received a promotion or an award, let us know. Talks, speeches (unless they are of national stature), honors from other publications, and political announcements are not accepted. Notices about State Bar members in good standing are printed as space is available, and at no cost, must be submitted in writing, and may be edited. Questions: (608) 250-6139.

Photo placement: Submit a professional-quality photo. If the photo is used, the State Bar will issue an invoice ($30 each). Group photos are not accepted. High-resolution electronic photos are preferred.

Deadline: The first of the month preceding publication. For example, to place an announcement in the May issue, it must be received before April 1. Email to: org MembersOnly wisbar wisbar MembersOnly org. Include your State Bar membership number.